Kendrick Lamar has roared into the 2026 Grammy season with nine nominations, leading a fiercely competitive field unveiled by the Recording Academy on Friday. Powered by his chart-topping album 'GNX' and hit single 'Luther', the rapper looks primed for another major sweep.

Lady Gaga isn't far behind, scoring seven nods — her biggest haul since 2010 — matching producers Jack Antonoff and Cirkut. Rising star Leon Thomas delivered the morning's biggest surprise with six nominations, tying Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny and engineer Serban Ghenea.

Bad Bunny's six-strong showing marks a significant breakthrough for Latin music in the top categories, with the global star competing for album, record and song of the year. He joins Lamar, Gaga and Carpenter as the only artists nominated across all three.

Hip-hop flourished despite a commercially sluggish year, with Doechii, Clipse and Tyler, the Creator each landing five nominations. Country, however, barely made a dent in the major categories, continuing Nashville's long-standing awards-season frustration.

The 2026 Grammys air on 1 February.

Kendrick Lamar